234 research outputs found
Interest-based RDF Update Propagation
Many LOD datasets, such as DBpedia and LinkedGeoData, are voluminous and
process large amounts of requests from diverse applications. Many data products
and services rely on full or partial local LOD replications to ensure faster
querying and processing. While such replicas enhance the flexibility of
information sharing and integration infrastructures, they also introduce data
duplication with all the associated undesirable consequences. Given the
evolving nature of the original and authoritative datasets, to ensure
consistent and up-to-date replicas frequent replacements are required at a
great cost. In this paper, we introduce an approach for interest-based RDF
update propagation, which propagates only interesting parts of updates from the
source to the target dataset. Effectively, this enables remote applications to
`subscribe' to relevant datasets and consistently reflect the necessary changes
locally without the need to frequently replace the entire dataset (or a
relevant subset). Our approach is based on a formal definition for
graph-pattern-based interest expressions that is used to filter interesting
parts of updates from the source. We implement the approach in the iRap
framework and perform a comprehensive evaluation based on DBpedia Live updates,
to confirm the validity and value of our approach.Comment: 16 pages, Keywords: Change Propagation, Dataset Dynamics, Linked
Data, Replicatio
Changes in the long term intensity variations in Cyg X-2 and LMC X-3
We report the detection of changes in the long-term intensity variations in
two X-ray binaries, Cyg X-2 and LMC X-3. In this work, we have used the
long-term light curves obtained with the All-Sky Monitors (ASMs) of the Rossi
X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE), Ginga, Ariel 5, and Vela 5B and the scanning
modulation collimator of HEAO 1. It is found that in the light curves of both
the sources, obtained with these instruments at various times over the last 30
years, more than one periodic or quasi-periodic component is always present.
The multiple prominent peaks in the periodograms have frequencies unrelated to
each other. In Cyg X-2, RXTE-ASM data show strong peaks at 40.4 and 68.8 days,
and Ginga-ASM data show strong peaks at 53.7 and 61.3 days. Multiple peaks are
also observed in LMC X-3. The various strong peaks in the periodograms of LMC
X-3 appear at 104, 169, and 216 days (observed with RXTE-ASM) and 105, 214, and
328 days (observed with Ginga-ASM). The present results, when compared with the
earlier observations of periodicities in these two systems, demonstrate the
absence of any stable long period. The 78 day periodicity detected earlier in
Cyg X-2 was probably due to the short time base in the RXTE data that were
used, and the periodicity of 198 days in LMC X-3 was due to a relatively short
duration of observation with HEAO 1.Comment: 11 pages, 7 postscript figures include
The 1999 Hercules X-1 Anomalous Low State
A failed main-on in the 35d cycle of Her X-1 was observed with the Rossi
X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) on 1999 April 26. Exceptions to the normal 35d
cycle have been seen only twice before; in 1983 and again 1993. We present
timing and spectral results of this latest Anomalous Low State (ALS) along with
comparisons to the main-on and normal low states. Pulsations were observed in
the 3-18 keV band with a fractional RMS variation of (0.037+-0.003). Spectral
analysis indicates that the ALS spectrum has the same shape as the main-on but
is modified by heavy absorption and scattering. We find that 70% of the
observed emission has passed through a cold absorber (N_H=5.0x10^{23}cm^{-2}).
This partially absorbing spectral fit can be applied to the normal low state
with similar results. We find that the ALS observations may be interpreted as a
decrease in inclination of the accretion disk causing the central X-Ray source
to be obscured over the entire 35d cycle.Comment: revised text, 6 revised figures, accepted for publication in Ap
Probing the outer edge of an accretion disk : a Her X-1 turn-on observed with RXTE
We present the analysis of Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) observations of the turn-on phase of a 35 day cycle of the X-ray binary Her X-1. During the early phases of the turn-on, the energy spectrum is composed of X-rays scattered into the line of sight plus heavily absorbed X-rays. The energy spectra in the 3–17 keV range can be described by a partial covering model, where one of the components is influenced by photoelectric absorption and Thomson scattering in cold material plus an iron emission line at 6.5 keV. In this paper we show the evolution of spectral parameters as well as the evolution of the pulse profile during the turn-on. We describe this evolution using Monte Carlo simulations which self-consistently describe the evolution of the X-ray pulse profile and of the energy spectrum
Warped accretion discs and the long periods in X-ray binaries
Precessing accretion discs have long been suggested as explanations for the
long periods observed in a variety of X-ray binaries, most notably Her X-1/HZ
Her. We show that an instability of the disc's response to the radiation
reaction force from the illumination by the central source can cause the disc
to tilt out of the orbital plane and precess in something like the required
manner. The rate of precession and disc tilt obtained for realistic values of
system parameters compare favourably with the known body of data on X-ray
binaries with long periods. We explore other possible types of behaviour than
steadily precessing discs that might be observable in systems with somewhat
different parameters. At high luminosities, the inner disc tilts through more
than 90 degrees, i.e. it rotates counter to the usual direction, which may
explain the torque reversals in systems such as 4U 1626-67.Comment: submitted to MNRAS, 17-Dec-97, revised submit 2-Nov-98. 15 pages
LaTeX, 11 postscript figures in-tex
Eclipsing Broad Emission Lines in Hercules X-1: Evidence for a Disk Wind?
We present disk wind model calculations for the broad emission lines seen in
the ultraviolet spectra of the X-ray binary Hercules X-1. Recent HST/STIS
observations of these lines suggest that they are kinematically linked to the
orbital motion of the neutron star and exhibit a red-shifted to blue-shifted
evolution of the line shape during the progression of the eclipse from ingress
to egress which is indicative of disk emission. Furthermore, these lines are
single-peaked which implies that they may be formed in a disk wind similar to
those we have proposed as producing the broad emission lines seen in the UV
spectra of active galactic nuclei. We compute line profiles as a function of
eclipse phase and compare them to the observed line profiles. Various effects
may modify the appearance of the lines including resonant scattering in the
wind itself, self-shadowing of the warped disk from the central continuum, and
self-obscuration of parts of the disk along the observer's line-of-sight. These
latter two effects can cause orbital and precessional phase dependent
variations in the emission lines. Hence, examination of the line profiles as a
function of these phases can, in principle, provide additional information on
the characteristics of the disk warp.Comment: 32 pages, 9 figures, LaTeX, Accepted for publication in Ap
Analyzing X-Ray Pulsar Profiles: Geometry and Beam Pattern of Her X-1
We report on our analysis of a large sample of energy dependent pulse
profiles of the X-ray binary pulsar Hercules X-1. We find that all data are
compatible with the assumption of a slightly distorted magnetic dipole field as
sole cause of the asymmetry of the observed pulse profiles. Further the
analysis provides evidence that the emission from both poles is equal. We
determine an angle of 20 deg between the rotation axis and the local magnetic
axis. One pole has an offset of 5 deg from the antipodal position of the other
pole. The beam pattern shows structures that can be interpreted as pencil- and
fan-beam configurations. Since no assumptions on the polar emission are made,
the results can be compared with various emission models. A comparison of
results obtained from pulse profiles of different phases of the 35-day cycle
indicates different attenuation of the radiation from the poles being
responsible for the change of the pulse shape during the main-on state. These
results also suggest the resolution of an ambiguity within a previous analysis
of pulse profiles of Cen X-3, leading to a unique result for the beam pattern
of this pulsar as well. The analysis of pulse profiles of the short-on state
indicates that a large fraction of the radiation cannot be attributed to the
direct emission from the poles. We give a consistent explanation of both the
evolution of the pulse profile and the spectral changes with the 35-day cycle
in terms of a warped precessing accretion disk.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figures. To appear in ApJ 529 #2, 1 Feb 200
Transient jets in V617 Sagittarii
Some of the luminous Compact Binary Supersoft X-Ray sources (CBSS) have shown
indications of jets, also called satellites due to their appearance in the
spectra. In V Sagittae (V Sge) stars, the galactic counterparts of the CBSS,
such features have been reported only for WX Cen. If V Sge stars are indeed the
analogs of CBSS, one may expect transient jet emission in other objects of this
class. Spectroscopic observations of the V Sge star V617 Sgr have been made,
both at high photometric state and at decline. We show that V617 Sgr presents
Halpha satellites at high photometric state with velocities of +/-780 km/s.
This feature confirms, once more, the CBSS nature of the V Sge stars, however
the details of the spectral characteristics also suggest that the two groups of
stars display some intrinsic spectroscopic differences, which are likely to be
due to a selection effect related to chemical abundance.Comment: Four pages, accepted to be published as a Letter in A&
A Semantic Web methodological framework to evaluate the support of integrity in thesaurus tools
12 p.With the Semantic Web, thesauri recover a relevant role supporting semantic searches and other added-value services. Thesaurus standards define what constructs a thesaurus can have and the integrity rules it must comply with. Thesaurus editors can be helped in their work if thesaurus tools offer them support for integrity, warning when integrity rules are violated and/or helping them to correct these mistakes.
The most recent thesaurus standard is ISO 25964, which supersedes ISO 2788, evolving towards concept-based thesauri, better aligned with the Semantic Web approach than the term-based thesauri of ISO 2788. However, the W3C recommendation for KOS (Knowledge Organization System) representation in the semantic web context is SKOS, which is in fact prior to ISO 25964. This paper focuses on thesaurus integrity and the evolution from ISO 2788 to ISO 25964. Its effect on integrity issues is analyzed. A methodological proposal for evaluating integrity support in thesaurus tools, arising from the results of this work, is presented. Its target audience is professionals in charge of thesaurus edition. Besides being adapted to the most recent thesaurus standard, ISO 25964, it also includes the comparison of ISO standards with SKOS. The paper is completed with the presentation of the results of applying it to three thesaurus tools
On the enigmatic X-ray Source V1408 Aql (=4U 1957+11)
Models for the characteristically soft X-ray spectrum of the compact X-ray
source V1498 Aql (=4U 1957+11) have ranged from optically thick Comptonization
to multicolor accretion disk models. We critically examine the X-ray spectrum
of V1408 Aql via archival Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics
(ASCA) data, archival Roentgensatellit (ROSAT) data, and recent Rossi X-Ray
Timing Explorer (RXTE) data. Although we are able to fit a variety of X-ray
spectral models to these data, we favor an interpretation of the X-ray spectrum
as being due to an accretion disk viewed at large inclination angles. Evidence
for this hypothesis includes long term (117 day, 235 day, 352 day)
periodicities seen by the RXTE All Sky Monitor (ASM), which we interpret as
being due to a warped precessing disk, and a 1 keV feature in the ASCA data,
which we interpret as being the blend of L fluorescence features from a disk
atmosphere or wind. We also present timing analysis of the RXTE data and find
upper limits of 4% for the root mean square (rms) variability between
f=0.001-16 Hz. The situation of whether the compact object is a black hole or
neutron star is still ambiguous; however, it now seems more likely that an
X-ray emitting, warped accretion disk is an important component of this system.Comment: High Frequency Power Spectrum corrected for unflagged `data dropouts'
(described in Appendix) and correct upper limits for variability presented.
All energy spectra and long term variability sections unchanged. Additional
references and acknowledgements added. 13 pages in emulateapj.st
- …